“We’re ready to make the UK a science & technology powerhouse”

Imperial College London President Hugh Brady opened the NLA‘s Innovation Summit at Guildhall today with an inspiring keynote address focused on “Unlocking Innovation with the London Growth Plan”.

Responding to the London Growth Plan, the one-day Innovation Summit explored strategies for inclusive growth and the role of skills and entrepreneurship – bringing together distinguished leaders across local government and the built environment to influence the future of innovation in London.

The summit showcased how the physical infrastructure of innovation hubs such as White City Innovation District will be crucial to delivering accessible opportunities and nurturing entrepreneurship in the innovation sector.

Images 1 & 2) Imperial College London’s Chief Development Officer Sarah Cary about the pivotal role of partnerships to drive inclusivity and growth and takes part in a panel discussion
Image 3: Imperial College London’s Strategy Director (Innovation Systems) Tom Bailey joins sector experts to explore routes to unlocking innovation

In his address, Professor Brady outlined why London is such a powerful global hub for innovation, declaring: “We’re ready to make the UK a science and technology powerhouse, with London at its beating heart.” He added: “We have a huge opportunity to work with government, development corporations, and built environment specialists to reimagine London as the world-leading innovation centre of the future.”

Imperial College London’s Chief Development Officer Sarah Cary emphasised the vital role of partnerships in creating inclusive places and growth, highlighting how “at White City, we’re creating inclusive places to encourage communities to engage with science and inspire the leaders of the future.”

Imperial College London’s Strategy Director for Innovation Ecosystems Tom Bailey joined other sector experts for the closing panel on unlocking innovation, noting that “the growth and success of White City Innovation District over the last 10 years is a brilliant example of how we can unlock innovation in support of the government’s growth agenda and the London Growth Plan.”

Launched in February by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and London Councils in collaboration with London & Partners – plus businesses, trade unions and London’s communities – the London Growth Plan is a 10-year blueprint to turbocharge economic growth and increase prosperity across the capital.

Download the full London Growth Plan report.